Smithsonian Journeys, AmaWaterways Expand 2028 River Cruises

Smithsonian Journeys and AmaWaterways are expanding their 2028 river cruise program to 50 departures across 15 itineraries, including two new routes and additional dates for returning journeys. Bookings are open through both partners.

The Smithsonian Institution’s educational travel program pairs the cruises with exclusive excursions and opportunities to engage with specialists in fields including archaeology, art history, science and anthropology. Optional land programs are available before and after the cruises.

“The continued popularity of our river cruise program reflects travelers’ desire for experiences that are both enriching and effortless,” said Walter Littlejohn, senior vice president of Smithsonian Journeys.

New routes in Holland, Belgium and the Rhine region

The eight-day Waterways of Holland and Belgium: Timeless Cities, Art and Heritage itinerary sails from Amsterdam, with visits to Antwerp, Rotterdam and Bruges. Excursion choices span museum visits, cycling to the Kinderdijk windmills and chocolate-making in Ghent. Departures run July 22–29 and Sept. 2–9, 2028, with fares starting at $3,639. All announced prices are per person, based on double occupancy.

The second addition, Cruising the Rhine and Moselle Rivers, combines historic cities, medieval villages and wine-producing regions, with local food and cultural experiences along the route. It sails May 31–June 10 and Oct. 4–14, 2028, plus a holiday-season departure running Dec. 23, 2028–Jan. 2, 2029. Fares start at $4,759.

French rivers and Danube departures

Along the Seine: A River Cruise from Paris to Normandy has six departures in 2028, beginning April 6, May 11, Aug. 31, Sept. 21, Oct. 5 and Oct. 12. Starting at $4,379, the itinerary includes opportunities to visit Rouen and Omaha Beach, explore Normandy’s food traditions and trace connections to Claude Monet and Josephine Baker.

The eight-day Burgundy and Provence River Cruise operates on the Saone and Rhone on April 13–20, Sept. 7–14 and Oct. 19–26. Fares begin at $4,279, with guided cycling and hiking available alongside excursions focused on French food and culture.

Two other French itineraries each have three departures: Rhone River Cruise: Colors of Provence, starting at $4,739, and Taste of Bordeaux: Cruising the Waterways of Southwest France, starting at $4,939. The Provence sailings depart May 4, Oct. 5 and Oct. 19; Bordeaux departures begin May 4, Sept. 14 and Oct. 5.

For clients seeking a longer trip, the 15-day Grand Danube itinerary travels between Germany and Romania through eight countries. Visits include Vienna and Budapest, alongside destinations in Croatia and Bulgaria. The starting fare is $7,179.

Shorter Danube options include five departures of Cruising the Upper Danube: Romantic Ports from Bavaria to Budapest, priced from $3,139, and four departures of Cruising the Lower Danube: Gems of Southeast Europe, from $4,429. Both are eight-day itineraries.

Christmas Markets along the Danube sails from Nuremberg to Budapest on Dec. 2–9 and Dec. 6–13, with fares starting at $4,139. The route visits markets in Germany, Austria and Hungary. On the Rhine, the Amsterdam-to-Basel Christmas market itinerary departs Dec. 3–10 and Dec. 7–14, starting at $4,239.

Spring sailings, Portugal and Southeast Asia

The returning Holland and Belgium in Spring itinerary offers five April departures timed for tulip season, with fares from $4,439. The sailings begin April 9, 11, 12, 16 and 18.

The Captivating Rhine, another Amsterdam-to-Basel itinerary, has departures beginning May 6, June 13, Sept. 17 and Oct. 8, with fares from $3,439. Portugal’s Douro River Valley program adds five departures beginning April 21, May 12, Sept. 15, Oct. 6 and Oct. 20, priced from $4,079.

Beyond Europe, Along the Mekong: Charms of Vietnam and Cambodia offers a 16-day itinerary starting at $6,688. Its three scheduled journeys run Jan. 15–30, Feb. 12–27 and Oct. 28–Nov. 12, 2028.